`Galileo's Moon and Other Works' mounted at Daira Centre for Arts and Culture portray B. Narsing Rao's process of art

THE PROCESS of creativity in art is a personal process where the artist traverses the journey mostly on his own. The finished work of art is then brought into public domain in accordance with the vision of the artist. Subsequently, the spectator embarks on the trip of viewing, deciphering, decoding and discussion. The drawings/paintings of B. Narsing Rao mounted at Daira Centre for Arts and Culture draw us into the ambit of viewing and decoding and also into the emotions of the artist.

Narsing Rao's artistic oeuvre is well known to many. His multi-faceted creative ventures spill over into many areas - painting (he was trained to be one), poetry, photography, films, music. His emotions and energy are reflected in whatever creative activity he undertakes.

Galileo's moon and Other Works are works done over about two decades. The works, albeit abstract in nature, intrigue a viewer and therefore make for compelling viewing. For Narsing Rao, the creative process is a release filled with joy. Communication through art is integral to him. "A work of art has to live," he says emphatically. And he enlists viewer participation in his endeavours - be it art, film, poetry. The viewer is made to wonder and enter into a dialogue with the work.

The paintings are an outpouring of his emotions - joy or grief. The energy, which is released in the cathartic process, presents itself in the form of abstract utterances. Forms devoid of shape emerge on the canvas, which make the viewer question the work of art or try to translate the thoughts of the artist. On the surface they may seem simplistic (some may even feel he/she could do them) and yet complex to understand what the artist is trying to convey. For the artist it is sheer play of feelings without any boundaries. So the criss-crossing of lines, asymmetric shapes on white paper may convey his angst and dark fear at losing his father (Death Valley) or just the joy of taking up painting again (Mount Everest) using markers from the States and material from Berlin and the Mont Blanc Miracle series with Mont Blanc ink). It's the composition, rather the shape which attracts besides the colour. The artist has used interesting mediums not commonly used like Mont Blanc ink and Red Leaf Japanese markers which write in blue (for Galileo's moon).

The brightness of the blue in Galileo's moon is arresting. The moon has a special place in his life. The moon is linked to life and therefore, the emotions of people are related to it. Nostalgia also plays a central role. Representation of the moon in various genres of art - cinema, painting plus Narsing Rao's personal experience with moonlit dinners and Man's landing on the moon and of course Galileo's scientific study triggered off his creative impulses to romance the moon artistically though. The moon may be symbolic of being illusionary too. The paintings may seem raw but are perfect as far as the shape goes.

For Narsing Rao, the search goes on in the creative arena. Not satisfied with his work in any genre the restless spirit soldiers on to chart more arenas.

The exhibition is open for viewing at Daira Centre for Arts and Culture till July 24 (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)